82 replies to this topic

[TheMazz]

For those wondering Butler's role:

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice
Devils GM Lou Lamoriello said Butler's performance will determine if he' on NHL roster or in Albany, but "he'll be given every opportunity."

Also

Tom Gulitti ‏@TGfireandice
Lamoriello feels that Butler has potential to be "a top six forward."

Edited by TheMazz, 09 August 2012 - 03:56 PM.

[Colin226]

Wow top 6? Man, another Henrique-type surprise would kick ass

[vadvlfan]

Butler is a righty, so I think Sykora doesn't need to be signed? Wonder if Butler got any pk time? heard he's pretty fast. Also wonder why Sens (in buying him out) just couldn't bury him in the minors and keep him for a rainy day. I think he'll be good for 15-20 goals?

[CarpathianForest]

I'm still hoping for a deal with Winny that would send Eric Fehr our way.

[TheMazz]

I'm still hoping for a deal with Winny that would send Eric Fehr our way.

And his two goals?

[CarpathianForest]

Got any other practical trades?

[LucifersDog]

Lou had to do something the farm system is empty. Lets hope he works out. Lou got him cheap,I hope. Please Lou not a NTC and no more than 2 years and under $1M. Devils had to do something to offset the negative press about 8/14. Is this it?

[CarpathianForest]

And his two goals?

To be fair Fehr only played 35 games last year. He's a right handed shot and a big boy at 6'4 204 lbs. I believe he was a third liner with the Caps(I could be wrong). He'd be a good third line pickup.

[Triumph]

Fehr was already non-tendered and has been a free agent for over a month.

I feel like the Devils' lack of a traditional checking line helps, I think Butler could play with Elias, Zajac, or Josefson and not make the line weird.

[capo]

Butler has some serious sniping skills. He scored 13 goals on the B-Sens cup run two years ago. I can't believe Ottawa bought him out. I know he hasn't put up numbers but he hasnt really had a chance yet either. Good pick up for the Devils if they give him a chance to play with Elias I'd rather not see him with other righty shots.

[capo]

So is this another Steve Bernier type guy who had promise and fizzled a bit? If so ... can the kid forecheck?

He has much better hands than Bernier and a real quick release. He's the type that really needs someone to feed him the puck. I'm not sure the Devils have the center that Butler needs to get the most out of him.

[CarpathianForest]

I think Butler would probably work on a line of Zubrus and Elias

[insanity_gallops]

Fehr was already non-tendered and has been a free agent for over a month.

Beat me to it. He'd be a real gamble-type player, can't see the Devils giving him a shot now that they've signed Butler. I feel like Fehr is higher risk-reward since he was coming off of two shoulder surgeries, but maybe he's just damaged goods at this point.

As for Butler, I'm curious to see what skill sets he displays in camp. It will certainly be telling if he supplants Tedenby as a NHL roster player to start off the season, though.

[MadDog2020]

Solid signing. Once again Lou goes off the radar and signs a guy no one was really talking about.

[Zubie#8]

Solid signing. Once again Lou goes off the radar and signs a guy no one was really talking about.

The Ottawa Senators are close to signing American college star Bobby Butler, Hockey Night in Canada 's Elliotte Friedman reported Sunday.

Butler, 22, plays in the NCAA for New Hampshire, and led all college players in scoring during the regular season with 27 goals.

He added two more when New Hampshire beat Cornell 6-2 on Friday in the first round of the NCAA men's hockey championship, but his team was eliminated a day later by Rochester Institute of Technology.

I think its a no brainer to try to sign this guy. If he doesnt pan out with the big boys he will just play in Albany where they need more forwards.

[Blown01NJ]

Give him #9

[Chimaira_Devil_#9]

Just from that video you can see his shot is rediculous!!

If we can match him with someone who can make space and feed him the puck he will score goals.

Josefson might be a good fit. He has got the hands and passing skills.

[Mayday]

if anything this can push barch from a starting job i guess.

kovalchuk-zajac-zubrus
elias-henrique-clarkson
tedenby-josefson-bernier
carter-gionta-butler

the third line is a defensive liability.

[Zubie#8]

if anything this can push barch from a starting job i guess.

kovalchuk-zajac-zubrus
elias-henrique-clarkson
tedenby-josefson-bernier
carter-gionta-butler

the third line is a defensive liability.

Sign Sykora, I want anyone who will push Clarkson out of the top 6 so he can stay on the third line where he would do best. I think the Millenium line can do good again. Just have to make sure Sykora does not burn out and if he does you can throw Butler on the 2nd line with Elias and Zubrus if Butler is doing good.

Edited by Zubie#8, 10 August 2012 - 09:16 AM.

[insanity_gallops]

For what it's worth, many of the reactions I've seen from Ottawa fans essentially say that Butler's only effective when he's getting ice time in a top-six role. Good puck control, very good shot, but not really one to work the boards or battle it out. Benefits from a passing center and a winger who can help create space.

If that's the case, and he sticks with the big club, he could be like another Bergfors - hopefully taking advantage of the ice time when it's there by scoring goals and creating chances, trying to work out the other aspects of his game when the time is cut back. Ideally he'd be fine on the third line as a top-9 forward if the third line is not used as a checking line... pair him with Josefson and Clarkson as others have suggested and that's could be a speedy, puck possession unit. Means Sykora or Tedenby slots into the second line in that case, though.